Endotracheal tube anti-disconnect device

• US 5,839,437 A
• Filed: 10/28/1997
• Issued: 11/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stephen W. Briggs III
• Original Assignee: Stephen W. Briggs III
• Inventors: Briggs, Stephen W. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US08/959,551
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.17, 128/200.26, 128/DIG. 26, 128/912, 128/207.14, 128/202.27
• US Class Current: 128/207.17
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0465 Tracheostomy tubes; Devices for performing a tracheostomy; Accessories therefor, e.g. masks, filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0497 Tube stabilizer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0213 where the catheter is attached by means specifically adapted to a part of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/026 where the straps are releasably secured, e.g. by hook and loop-type fastening devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0273 having slits to place the pad around a catheter puncturing site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/912 Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body

Abstract

The improved endotracheal anti-disconnect device includes a flexible, resilent elongated patient neck band having a main body, the front surface of which bears a number of hook-receiving loops. The band has narrow opposite ends which form tabs, the front surfaces of which bear a number of hooks. With this arrangement the tabs can be passed through slots in the sides of an endotracheal tube bracket and then can be reflected rearwardly and connected by the hooks to the loops to releasably hold the bracket against the throat of a patient. The device also includes a ring assembly having a ring with a central space and to which ring are connected 4 connectors, which radiate therefrom. Two of the connectors are in the form of wings which are disposed horizontally and are elongated. The wings bear a number of hooks on their inner surfaces so that the ring can be pulled against the bracket and connected by the wings to the front surface of the neck band. The ring fits over the front-to-rear portion of an endotracheal tube, holding that portion securely in place. Upper and lower vertically extending arms are the other two connectors. The front surface of one arm bears hook-receiving loops while the rear surface of the arm bears hooks. With this arrangement, the arms can be wound around the transverse portion of the endotracheal tube to support it in place and prevent its rotation. Preferably, the ring assembly and neck band are of plastic.

Claims

1. An improved endotrachial tube anti-disconnect device, said device comprising, in combination:

a) a flexible, resilient neck band having an elongated body having front and rear surfaces, said front surface bearing hook-receiving means, said body having having two opposite ends, each said end having front and rear surfaces, the front surface of each said end bearing a plurality of hooks adapted to be releasably passed through slots in an endotrachial tube connector and being adapted to be releasably secured to said front surface of said body to hold said connector in place against a throat; and

,

b) an anti-disconnect ring assembly, said assembly comprising, in combination;

i. a ring having a central endotracheal tube-receiving space, said ring thereby being adapted to fit around an endotracheal tube,

ii. first and second horizontally extending flexible resilient wings connected to said ring and extending outwardly from opposite sides of said ring, said wings having front and rear surfaces, said rear surfaces of said wings bearing a plurality of hooks adapted to being releasably secured to said front surface of said body of said neck band to hold said ring against said neck band body, and,

iii. first and second flexible resilient vertically extending arms connected to opposite top and bottom portions of said ring, said first arm having front and rear surfaces, the front surface of which bears hook-receiving means, said second arm having front and rear surfaces, the rear surface of which bears a plurality of hooks, said arms being adapted to wrap around an endotracheal tube and to releasably connect to each other to hold said endotracheal tube in place.

2. The improved endotracheal tube anti-disconnect device of claim 1 wherein said neck band, wings and arms are inelastic and are of plastic.

3. The improved endotracheal tube anti-disconnect device of claim 1 wherein said wings are of greater length than said arms.

4. The improved endotracheal tube anti-disconnect device of claim 1 wherein said ring is of plastic and dimensioned to slip fit over an endotracheal tube.